Alexandra Palace

London is home to dozens of music venues, so distinguishing between the decent ones and the more seedy ones can be a bit tricky at times. If you’re looking to see a big name band like The Black Keys, Florence and the Machine or the Maccabees, your best bet is Alexandra Palace.

Ally Pally, as it’s affectionately known to locals, is a large venue in North London. The palace itself is seven acres, and sits in Alexandra Park, offering an incredible panoramic view of the city.

Most concerts are general admission standing tickets, but seats are sometimes available. Beat the crowds and get there early, since there are several bars and food vendors (think American diner food, Mexican and Chinese) to keep you occupied.

A word to the wise – if you’re heading to Alexandra Palace, make sure to allow plenty of time to get there. It’s about an hour ride on the tube from central London, and then an additional bus trip up to the venue. Try to plan ahead for your trip home, too – the last tube leaves at midnight, so you might want to figure out a route home on the night bus just in case.